Finger comb



P 1951 F; PHILLIPS ET AL 2,568,898

FINGER COMB Filed Jan. 5, 1950 INVENTORS FAY PHILLIPS REN LAY EI'TORNEYS Patented Sept. 25, 1951 UNITED. STATES PATENT O FFICE FINGER COMB Fay Phillips and Ben Lay, Denver, Colo. Application January .3, 1950, Serial No. 136,554 3 Claims. (01. 132-11) This invention relates to finger combs. In the treatment of hair to produce ornamental hair configurations, such as pin curls, permanent waves and the like, it is desirable to separate a number of hairs into a strand or look from the remainder of the hair and to pass a comb through the same so that the hairs will be disposed in aligned relation. Particularly when the owner of the hair is performing the operations and manipulations alone, it often requires both hands to hold the strand or look and a curler, clip, clamp, or the like, in position and wind the strand or look about the curler o the like. Thus, after the strand or look is combed, if it is necessary to lay down the comb, considerable time is consumed and interference with the manipulative steps may be produced. Also, if the usual type of comb is attempted to be held in the hand after combing, the necessary manipulations are rendered awkward and cumbersome.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a novel type of finger comb; to provide such a finger comb which can remain on the finger after combing, particularly without interference with the necessary manipulative steps in forming pin curls, permanent waves and the like; to provide such a comb which is disposed in an. effectively usable position with respect to a finger; to provide such a comb which may exist in more than one form; to provide such a comb which is held securely on a finger, yet is readily placed on the finger or removed; and to provide such a comb which is readily and inexpensively manufactured. Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a comb constructed in accordance with this invention in operative position on a finger of the hand of a, user;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of thecomb of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross section of the comb taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross section similar to Fig. 3, but on a reduced scale, of an alternative finger comb construction of this invention;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a further alternative finger comb construction of this invention; and

Fig. 6 is a cross section similar to Fig. 3, on a reduced scale, of a further alternative finger comb construction of this invention.

e As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, a finger comb constructed in accordance with this invention may comprise a comb element C having a plurality of longitudinaly aligned teeth In extending in the usual manner from a base or back i l. A ring or ring-like member R, for mounting the comb upon the finger, is preferably formed integrally with the comb element C and its longitudinal axis is generally parallel to the direction of the row of teeth Iii of the comb element C, so that when placed upon a finger 12, preferably with the ring R between the first and second joints of the little finger as in Fig. 1, the row of teeth lil will extend longitudinally of the finger .12. This is an advantage of the comb of this invention, since the finger i2 can remain in its normal position or be moved toward the palm of the hand for use in readily separating and combing out a strand or lock of hair. After combing, the finger [2 can be bent and the comb doubled against the palm of the hand, as in the dotted position of Fig. 1, so that the comb is placed in a position which cannot interfere with the manipulation of the hair, such as by the thumb and other fingers; of the hand, as in forming a pin curl, permanent Wave or the like. ihe teeth adjacent the rear of the comb may be shorter than those at the other end of the comb. The comb of this invention is preferably made in sizes adapted to fit the litle finger of a user, and will usually be placed on the right hand of a right-handed person, although it is adapted to be placed on the little finger of either hand. However, as indicated later, a special (left-handed comb may be made. The length of the comb element C may be varied, since a relatively shorter comb may be used only for making pin curls and the like, while a longer comb may be used for permanent waving operations, the latter, of course, also being usable in making pin curls.

In further accordance with this invention, the ring R, which may be generally annular. in cross section, as in Figs. 3 and 4, or may tend toward the shape of a portion of an involute curve or spiral, as in Fig. 6, also tapers from the rear edge I 3 toward the front edge l5, i. e. decreases in radius. Also, the front edge I5 may be formed along a generally helical curve, which extends rearwardly with respect to an axis generally parallel to the base of the comb element, so that the free end I6 is reduced in width and will be more readily spread by the finger as well as permitting bending of the finger. ring is also disposed adjacent the base ll of the comb, i. e. the ring R is formed as a split band attached at one edge to the comb back and having a free end terminating at a point adjacent to but spaced from the point of attachment. The com- The free end 15 of the bination of the split in the ring adjacent the comb back, with the reduction in width of the free end of the ring, provides additional flexibility which causes the ring to grip the finger of a user firmly but without undue pressure and also accommodates differences in the size of the fingers of various users. The comb element C will be adequately supported by the ring R, due to the extension of the front edge l5 to the front end of the comb element. It will be understood, of course, that the free end I6 of the ring R may be spaced from the base I l of the comb element to a greater distance than shown in Fig. 3. One or more longitudinal grooves l 1 may be provided on the inside of ring R, to prevent the comb from tending to slip around the finger. The grooves I! may be relatively deep, as shown, or may be merely fine lines or shallow grooves, or ridges I8, as in the case of ring R of Fig. 4, may be substituted for the grooves, if desired. However, the inner surface of the ring may be smooth, as in Fig. 6. The large end of the ring R also preferably is placed toward the hand, so that movement of the hand and comb of Fig. 1 toward the observer will tend to cause the ring R to tighten on the finger, when meeting resistance of hair during combing. Thus, the finger comb of Figs. 1-3 is adapted primarily for use by a right-handed person, and by reversing the relative position of the ring, a comb adapted primarily for use by a left-handed person can be made, as in Fig. 6.

If desired, not only the front edge I5 but also the rear edge I! of the ring R may be cut away along a generally helical curve or the like, but in opposite directions, as in the case of the front edge 15' and the rear edge I 4 of Fig. 5, so that the free end [6' thereof will be disposed more nearly at the center of the comb element 0. Also, as in Fig. 6, the free end l6" of the ring R may be disposed adjacent the center of the comb element C", while the ring R", rather than being annular in cross section, follows more nearly an involute curve or the like, such as a portion of a spiral, with the free end [6" on the inside. Thus, the ring R may more nearly encircle the finger when the comb is placed thereon and also preferably decreases in radius, i. e. tapers from the rear toward the front, as before.

The finger comb of this invention, as indicated previously, is preferably unitary, i. e. the ring R and comb element 0 of Figs. 1-3, the ring and comb element of Fig. 5, and the ring R" and the comb element C" of Fig. 6, are preferably formed integrally. The comb may be formed of a suitable resin or plastic or the like, preferably a thermoplastic resin, such as of the methyl methacrylate or vinyl copolymer types. Thus, the comb may be formed by molding, either in one piece, or with the comb element C disposed angular-1y to a leg 22, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and adapted to be bent around, as by heat and pressure, to form the ring R. Or, the comb may be made from a sheet of plastic, as by cutting the sheet to shape, then stamping out or cutting the teeth In, and then forming the ring by heat and pressure. In the latter case, as in Fig. 6, the ring and comb element will have substantially the same thickness. The grooves IT, or ridges I 8, may be formed by molding, or by indentations pressed into the ring from the inside, or outside, as the case may be.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the finger comb of this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbe-l 4 fore set forth. The combination of a comb element and a ring or ring-like attaching element so disposed that the comb teeth will extend longitudinally of the finger provides numerous advantages, both in combing and in placing the comb in a non-interfering position after combing. The use of a ring-like member which tapers permits the comb to be placed on or removed from a finger with ease and facility, as well as insuring adequate retention of the comb on the finger. By making the comb as a onepiece unit not only is manufacturing facilitated, but also the strength and appearance are improved, although it will be understood that the parts of the comb may be made separatel and attached together as by a resin adhesive, rivets, or in any other suitable manner. A rear or front edge, or both, of the ring or attaching member, when formed generally helically, reduces the width of the free end and not only permits greater flexibility, but also renders the comb more comfortable for the user, as the finger on which the comb is placed tends to be held less rigidly.

Various changes may, of course, be made. The length, size, spacing and other characteristics of the teeth may be changed, while the thickness, extent and configurations of the comb base may be varied. For instance, the base may be considerably deeper at the front end, for additional strength as well as appearance, and the top of the base at the front may taper, such as simulating an extension of the helical curve of the ring. The thickness, radius, configuration and shape of the ring may also be varied, usually in accordance with the size or sizes of finger for which made and the flexibility and retention characteristics desired. The shape of the ring may be altered to achieve greater or less flexibility. Although different embodiments and variations thereof have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that other embodiments may exist and other variations made, all without departin from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is: l

1. A finger comb comprising a comb element having a base and a plurality of longitudinally aligned teeth secured to the base; and a ringlike member attached to said comb element and extending in generally annular relation from said base on the side opposite said teeth, said ringlike member forming a split band attached at one edge to said base and circling around to a point spaced from said base but adjacent said point of attachment, said band decreasing in radius from the rear toward the front thereof and at least the front edge of said band having a generally helical contour corresponding to a helix extending rearwardly with respect to an axis parallel to said base.

2. A finger comb as defined in claim 1, wherein said ring-like member is integral with said comb element. 1

3. A finger comb as defined in claim 1, wherein said ring-like member has successive transverse sections of generally circular configuration, decreasing in diameter from rear to front.

4. A finger comb as defined in claim 1, wherein said ring-like member has successive transverse sections of generally spiral configuration.

5. A finger comb as defined in claim 1, wherein the rear edge of said ring-like member has a generally helical contour, corresponding to a helix extending forwardly with respect to an axis nab a e i9 s id ase.

5 6' 6. A finger comb as defined in claim 1, where- REFERENCES CITED in the inner surface of said ring-like member is The following references are of record in the i z finger comb as defined in claim 1 where file of this patent:

in the inner surface of said ring-like member is 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS provided with spaced, longitudinally extending Number Name Date grooves. 2,396,548 Allen Mar. 12, 1948 8. A finger comb as defined in claim 1, Where- 2,411,252 Finman Nov. 19, 1946 in the inner surface of said ring-like member is 2,526,128 Grant Oct. 17, 1950 provided with spaced, longitudinally extending 10 ridges.

FAY PHILLIPS.

REN LAY. 

